Mariyappan Thangavelu strikes gold at Paralympics 2016, but most Indians missed the show
In all of 30 seconds, India leapt into history with its first-ever Paralympic gold, manoeuvred by a young Mariyappan Thangavelu at the Rio games. The 20-year-old from Tamil Nadu sealed an inspirational victory with his swift, confident sweeps in the Men's High Jump T-42 event, finishing at 1.89 metres.
After the severe drubbing India was served at the Olympics last month - save for ace shuttler PV Sindhu's Silver and women's wrestling champ Sakshi Malik's Bronze - the Paralympians' success has shown the country how sheer grit can melt hurdles and leave no room for defeat.
T-42 sees differently-abled track and field athletes who have single "above the knee" amputations or a disability that is comparable.
Thangavelu's steely somersault is a lesson in sporting spirit one can't get enough of.
Our run at the Paralympics has been doubly historic as high-jumper Varun Singh Bhati clinched a bronze with a 1.86metre leap in the same event.
Who wouldn't get high on their leap of motivation? Everyone except India's information and broadcast ministry, which decided that only highlights of the Rio 2016 Paralympics will be telecast.
So while our Paralympians soar high with success, setting milestones for India, most of us won't be able to watch their breathtaking feats.
Indian Twitter is riding high on the phenomenal achievements of our Paralympians. Tamil Nadu has even announced a Rs 2 crore reward for Thangavelu's historic leap.
India is elated! Congratulations to Mariyappan Thangavelu on winning a gold & Varun Singh Bhati for the bronze at the #Paralympics. #Rio2016
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2016
Congrats to #MariyappanThangavelu for gold & Varun Singh fr bronze in #Paralympics These true heroes defy all odds pic.twitter.com/yJNgQFm8eG
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 10, 2016
T 2375 -#Paralympics joy for India .. Gold & Bronze for Thangavelu and Bhatti in high jump ! COME ON INDIA !!!
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) September 10, 2016
India is elated! Congratulations to Mariyappan Thangavelu on winning a gold & Varun Singh Bhati for the bronze at the #Paralympics. #Rio2016
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2016
India is elated! Congratulations to Mariyappan Thangavelu on winning a gold & Varun Singh Bhati for the bronze at the #Paralympics. #Rio2016
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2016
Mariyappan Thangavelu's high jump gold at the Paralympics is stunning, inspiring and humbling.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 10, 2016
But can we claim credit to the historic medals that our Paralympians win despite India?